UK economic growth rebounded in the second quarter as retail sales and construction benefited from a warm weather boost.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 0.4 percent between April and June, compared to the first three months of the year.

That figure was in line with economists' estimates.

It comes after growth slumped to 0.2 percent amid frosty weather brought in by the Beast from the East in the first quarter.

ONS head of national accounts Rob Kent-Smith said: "The economy picked up a little in the second quarter with both retail sales and and construction helped by the good weather and rebounding from the effects of the snow earlier in the year.

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"However, manufacturing continued to fall back from its high point at the end of last year and underlying growth remained modest by historical standards."

Sterling edged up slightly versus the dollar following the news, but was still trading 0.5 precent down at 1.27. Against the euro, the pound was up 0.1 precent at 1.11.

Data showed the UK's powerhouse services sector - which accounts for around 79 percent of the economy - grew by 0.5 precent in the second quarter, marking the strongest quarterly expansion for the sector since the end of 2016.

It reflects a pick-up in wholesale and retail trading, both of which were affected by the adverse weather earlier in the year.

Data released by the ONS also showed a 0.3 precent rise in household spending, though employee pay growth slowed to 0.6 precent from 1.1 precent in the first quarter, due to weaker growth in wages and salaries.

Construction output recovered in the second quarter, rising by 0.9 percent but still coming in below last year's quarterly average of 1.1 percent.

The sector was boosted by non-housing repair and maintenance as well as public housing work, but was knocked by a slump in private housebuilding.

The production industry contracted 0.8 percent, due to a slump in manufacturing, particularly in machinery, metal products and transport equipment.

Production was also dragged down by a 2.7 percent fall in energy supply.

While the cold snap earlier this year boosted energy demand in the first quarter, the recent spate of warm weather led to a fall in electricity and gas production in April and May.

ONS figures also detailed a 0.5 percent rise in business investment in the second quarter.

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The total UK trade deficit widened by £4.7 billion to £8.6 billion in the three months to May, mainly due to falling goods exports and rising goods imports, with net trade dragging on GDP growth as a result.